The concept of oil pulling has been very popular lately(apparently). Truth being, it was practiced very commonly thousands of years back. And to date, it is a crucial part of oral hygiene for people who follow the natural way of life. To add to the holistic lifestyle, here is an article on how to perform this time-tested, Ayurveda backed art of oil pulling.
The oils most commonly used are coconut oil, sesame oil, and olive oil. Go for the virgin version of your favorite one.
The procedure is incredibly simple. Take one teaspoon of the oil, and swish it in your mouth for 15-20 minutes, and spit it out. Rinse your mouth with water afterward. Do it twice a week for good results. Coming to the difficult part, swishing this in your mouth for 15 minutes is going to be such a drag, start with just 2 minutes and gradually increase the duration. You can schedule this while taking a shower or reading your book in the evening. In my experience, 15 mins pass by faster that way. One of the patients, a working mom, did this while cooking, twice a week. So however busy you are, you can do it too.
A small sidenote, spit the oil in the trash can, as it might cause your sink to get clogged.
Benefits of oil pulling: it is said that the oil pulls out all the toxins, and the harmful bacteria from the mouth, leading to healthy gums and teeth. There is very limited data available on this, but I do prescribe this to my patients time and again, and the ones who have conquered their laziness and have actually done this for 3-4 weeks straight are quite happy with the results, and so am I. Do let me know your experience of oil pulling in the comment section below.
P.s- oil pulling is an add on to your regular brushing and flossing, and not a replacement. Likewise, as much as it can prevent you from getting diseases, it cannot treat all of your oral problems that have already escalated beyond self-care. So the best take-away from this article is- brush, floss, do oil-pulling, repeat. And every six months go to your dentist for regular check-ups. Happy smiling!!
